Julia Brownley's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Julia Brownley has refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2014 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests. Julia Brownley is still welcome to submit the test at any time.

Issue Positions

In response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Project Vote Smart has researched Presidential and Congressional candidates' public records to determine candidates' likely responses on certain key issues. These issue positions, from the year 2014, are provided below as a courtesy to voters.

Pro-choice

Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?

Vote Smart's Research

Julia Brownley. About Julia. 14 June 2012. "An effective advocate for women, Brownley is a leader in preventing domestic violence, strongly supports a woman's right to choose, and will fight to make sure health insurance companies cover contraception, prenatal and preventive care for everyone." juliabrownley.com/about/.

Julia Brownley. Project Vote Smart: 2006 California State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "f) Prohibit public funding of abortions and to organizations that advocate or perform abortions."

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 20 April 2012. "It's official! Proud to have the full backing of EMILY's List." (www.facebook.com)

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 25 June 2012. "Vote for Julia! EMILY's List, an organization that supports pro-choice Democratic women, is hosting a contest and the winning House candidates will be featured in a fundraising email sent to thousands of EMILY's List supporters." (www.facebook.com)

Julia Brownley. Video: 120323 California Congressional District 26. 23 March 2012. "I believe church and state, as was stated, needs to be separated [¦] I think women's rights and women's reproductive rights are under siege on a national level [¦] it's important to have the right kind of leadership, I think, in Congress to protect women's rights throughout our country." [42:46]. (www.ustream.tv)

"Women across the country are losing access to critical health services due to unnecessary and unconstitutional state laws that restrict a woman's right to choose," said Congresswoman Brownley. "That's why it's so important for Congress to pass the Women's Health Protection Act. Every woman should be able to exercise her constitutional right to make the best health care decisions for herself and her family, no matter what state she lives in."The Women's Health Protection Act ensures women have access to safe, legal reproductive health services. It would protect a woman's right to a safe and legal abortion by banning state regulations and laws that impose burdensome requirements on abortion providers, such as requiring doctors to perform medically unnecessary tests and procedures that do not further women's health or safety, and that harm women by reducing the availability of the full range of reproductive services. Furthermore, the Women's Health Protection Act directs courts to consider whether future laws interfere with women's safe and timely access to care." (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. About Julia. 14 June 2012. "An effective advocate for women, Brownley is a leader in preventing domestic violence, strongly supports a woman's right to choose, and will fight to make sure health insurance companies cover contraception, prenatal and preventive care for everyone." juliabrownley.com/about/.

Julia Brownley. Project Vote Smart: 2006 California State Legislative Political Courage Test. Did Not Check SUPPORT for: "f) Prohibit public funding of abortions and to organizations that advocate or perform abortions."

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 20 April 2012. "It's official! Proud to have the full backing of EMILY's List." (www.facebook.com)

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 25 June 2012. "Vote for Julia! EMILY's List, an organization that supports pro-choice Democratic women, is hosting a contest and the winning House candidates will be featured in a fundraising email sent to thousands of EMILY's List supporters." (www.facebook.com)

Julia Brownley. Video: 120323 California Congressional District 26. 23 March 2012. "I believe church and state, as was stated, needs to be separated [¦] I think women's rights and women's reproductive rights are under siege on a national level [¦] it's important to have the right kind of leadership, I think, in Congress to protect women's rights throughout our country." [42:46]. (www.ustream.tv)

"Women across the country are losing access to critical health services due to unnecessary and unconstitutional state laws that restrict a woman's right to choose," said Congresswoman Brownley. "That's why it's so important for Congress to pass the Women's Health Protection Act. Every woman should be able to exercise her constitutional right to make the best health care decisions for herself and her family, no matter what state she lives in."The Women's Health Protection Act ensures women have access to safe, legal reproductive health services. It would protect a woman's right to a safe and legal abortion by banning state regulations and laws that impose burdensome requirements on abortion providers, such as requiring doctors to perform medically unnecessary tests and procedures that do not further women's health or safety, and that harm women by reducing the availability of the full range of reproductive services. Furthermore, the Women's Health Protection Act directs courts to consider whether future laws interfere with women's safe and timely access to care." (votesmart.org)

Yes

Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?

Vote Smart's Research

Julia Brownley. Video: CA 26 League of Women Voters TOaks EDITED mostly Julia and Parks 051812.mp4. 19 March 2012. "You need to be very clear that you cannot support the Bush Tax Cuts for the very wealthy and say that you're going to protect Medicare." (youtu.be)

Julia Brownley. 26th Congressional District candidates compete for voters' support. 8 May 2012. "On taxes, Brownley, Herrera and Thayne said they would vote to end the tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush and extended under President Barack Obama." (juliabrownley.com)

Julia Brownley. FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. 25 July 2012. "Today, the Senate did the right thing and voted to extend tax cuts on the middle class who are still struggling. I urge the House to do the same. Share if you agree and support tax relief for the middle class" (juliabrownley.com)

Julia Brownley. Video: CA 26 League of Women Voters TOaks EDITED mostly Julia and Parks 051812.mp4. 19 March 2012. "You need to be very clear that you cannot support the Bush Tax Cuts for the very wealthy and say that you're going to protect Medicare." (youtu.be)

Julia Brownley. 26th Congressional District candidates compete for voters' support. 8 May 2012. "On taxes, Brownley, Herrera and Thayne said they would vote to end the tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush and extended under President Barack Obama." (juliabrownley.com)

Julia Brownley. FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. 25 July 2012. "Today, the Senate did the right thing and voted to extend tax cuts on the middle class who are still struggling. I urge the House to do the same. Share if you agree and support tax relief for the middle class" (juliabrownley.com)

Yes

Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

Vote Smart's Research

Julia Brownley. Issue Position: Job Creation. 1 January 2012. "That's why I will advocate for strategic investments in infrastructure and new innovations and energy technologies to create jobs now and simultaneously reduce our dependence on foreign and domestic oil." (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. Issue Position: Job Creation. 1 January 2012. "That's why I will advocate for strategic investments in infrastructure and new innovations and energy technologies to create jobs now and simultaneously reduce our dependence on foreign and domestic oil." (votesmart.org)

Education: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?

Vote Smart's Research

Julia Brownley. Issue Position: Education. 1 January 2012. "I have championed legislation to improve curriculum frameworks, establish Common Core standards for math and language arts, to encourage bilingual education, music and the arts and to provide more professional development for California's teachers [¦] I have spent my career working closely with the California State PTA, teachers and school principals to demand that the Governor and Legislature create a state plan for excellence in education." (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. MEET JULIA. 31 July 2012. "As a School Board President and one of California's leading education advocates, Julia helped increase student performance in local schools, fought to cut administrative spending to put more resources in the classroom, gave schools more local control and pushed to make sure every student has a quality teacher." (juliabrownley.com)

Julia Brownley. Video: Assemblymember Brownley Argues for Schools, Against Big Oil. 14 March 2008. "We are not to make a single cut to our already vulnerable school system [...] too much is at risk if we don't take a stand and protect education funding." (youtu.be)

Julia Brownley. Video: 120323 California Congressional District 26. 23 March 2012. "I was the author of a bill in Sacramento to support California, with many other states in the country, to produce what we call common core standards, in both language arts and mathematics. When California conforms to this, for the first time in a long time, California will be able to compare itself to the rest of the states in our country and to the rest of the world, and so we can really benchmark our students and know really how they're performing. Last but not least, it is funding and supporting of our students so that they can be successful and meet the proficiency standards that is laid out in No Child Left Behind." [34:14]. (www.ustream.tv)

Julia Brownley. Issue Position: Education. 1 January 2012. "I have championed legislation to improve curriculum frameworks, establish Common Core standards for math and language arts, to encourage bilingual education, music and the arts and to provide more professional development for California's teachers [¦] I have spent my career working closely with the California State PTA, teachers and school principals to demand that the Governor and Legislature create a state plan for excellence in education." (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. MEET JULIA. 31 July 2012. "As a School Board President and one of California's leading education advocates, Julia helped increase student performance in local schools, fought to cut administrative spending to put more resources in the classroom, gave schools more local control and pushed to make sure every student has a quality teacher." (juliabrownley.com)

Julia Brownley. Video: Assemblymember Brownley Argues for Schools, Against Big Oil. 14 March 2008. "We are not to make a single cut to our already vulnerable school system [...] too much is at risk if we don't take a stand and protect education funding." (youtu.be)

Julia Brownley. Video: 120323 California Congressional District 26. 23 March 2012. "I was the author of a bill in Sacramento to support California, with many other states in the country, to produce what we call common core standards, in both language arts and mathematics. When California conforms to this, for the first time in a long time, California will be able to compare itself to the rest of the states in our country and to the rest of the world, and so we can really benchmark our students and know really how they're performing. Last but not least, it is funding and supporting of our students so that they can be successful and meet the proficiency standards that is laid out in No Child Left Behind." [34:14]. (www.ustream.tv)

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 27 March 2012. "I'm honored to have the endorsement of the California League of Conservation Voters. As a member of Congress, I will continue to stand up to the special interests that threaten the quality of our air, water and coastline, and fight for a stronger national energy policy focused on conservation, alternative energy development, and green jobs." (www.facebook.com)

Julia Brownley. Video: CA 26 League of Women Voters TOaks EDITED mostly Julia and Parks 051812.mp4. 19 March 2012. "With regard to AB 32, one of the best pieces of legislation ever signed in the state of California, and I think AB 32's goals are right one. And I think AB 32 is already-we're seeing it happen-leverage new technologies and innovations, new automobiles in California. It's going to be great for California's economy." (youtu.be)

Julia Brownley. Project Vote Smart: 2010 California State Legislative Political Courage Test. Responded YES to the question: "f) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?"

Julia Brownley. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint. "In 2006, California established the first-in-the-world program to reduce greenhouse gases to help fight global warming. The author of Assembly Bill 32, Speaker Fabian NÃºÃ±ez, worked with the California State Legislature and the Governor to create a limit and reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions."

League of Conservation Voters. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 04/18/2012. League of Conservation Voters endorsed Julia Brownley in the 2012 general election. (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 27 March 2012. "I'm honored to have the endorsement of the California League of Conservation Voters. As a member of Congress, I will continue to stand up to the special interests that threaten the quality of our air, water and coastline, and fight for a stronger national energy policy focused on conservation, alternative energy development, and green jobs." (www.facebook.com)

Julia Brownley. Video: CA 26 League of Women Voters TOaks EDITED mostly Julia and Parks 051812.mp4. 19 March 2012. "With regard to AB 32, one of the best pieces of legislation ever signed in the state of California, and I think AB 32's goals are right one. And I think AB 32 is already-we're seeing it happen-leverage new technologies and innovations, new automobiles in California. It's going to be great for California's economy." (youtu.be)

Julia Brownley. Project Vote Smart: 2010 California State Legislative Political Courage Test. Responded YES to the question: "f) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?"

Julia Brownley. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint. "In 2006, California established the first-in-the-world program to reduce greenhouse gases to help fight global warming. The author of Assembly Bill 32, Speaker Fabian NÃºÃ±ez, worked with the California State Legislature and the Governor to create a limit and reduce California's greenhouse gas emissions."

Yes

Guns: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?

Vote Smart's Research

Julia Brownley. Project Vote Smart: 2010 California State Legislative Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?"

"Our nation has suffered at least 74 school shootings since the Sandy Hook massacre. The factors allowing these rampages are no mystery: loopholes in the background check laws, straw purchases, restrictions on law enforcement, and gaps in our mental health system. Dozens of legislative proposals that address these factors have been introduced and await consideration. But despite wake-up call after wake-up call, a shameful tradition of Congressional inaction continues.Gun violence has affected constituents in every Congressional district, and as their representatives, Members of Congress deserve the opportunity to vote on bills that would address this epidemic.Congressional silence is not a sign of respect, but rather an institutional indictment. We must right this wrong. You must allow a vote on substantive legislation to address gun violence." (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. Project Vote Smart: 2010 California State Legislative Political Courage Test. Selected "Yes" for: "a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?"

"Our nation has suffered at least 74 school shootings since the Sandy Hook massacre. The factors allowing these rampages are no mystery: loopholes in the background check laws, straw purchases, restrictions on law enforcement, and gaps in our mental health system. Dozens of legislative proposals that address these factors have been introduced and await consideration. But despite wake-up call after wake-up call, a shameful tradition of Congressional inaction continues.Gun violence has affected constituents in every Congressional district, and as their representatives, Members of Congress deserve the opportunity to vote on bills that would address this epidemic.Congressional silence is not a sign of respect, but rather an institutional indictment. We must right this wrong. You must allow a vote on substantive legislation to address gun violence." (votesmart.org)

No

Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?

Vote Smart's Research

Julia Brownley. Issue Position: Health Care. 1 January 2012. "I strongly believe that every American deserves access to affordable high quality health care. The Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 made some much needed improvements to our health care system like eliminating pre-existing conditions and allowing children to stay on their parent's insurance until age 26, but the law also has some problems like reducing increased future spending on Medicare." (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. Video: 120323 California Congressional District 26. 23 March 2012. "I think this Health Care bill is a good start in the right direction. Certainly there are component pieces of it, the preventive piece of the Affordable Health Care Act is very, very positive [¦] The fact that you can't turn anybody away for health care is a very, very positive direction for us to go in. I think we still have to work very, very hard on the quality issues and the affordability issues [¦] I think this is the right step in the right direction, but there's much more work to do." (www.ustream.tv)

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 28 June 2012. "The Supreme Court's upholding of the Affordable Care Act is great news for the American people. It's not a perfect law but it's a big step in the right direction." (www.facebook.com)

"I strongly believe that every American deserves access to affordable high quality health care. The Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 made some much needed improvements to our health care system like eliminating pre-existing conditions and allowing children to stay on their parent's insurance until age 26, but the law also has some problems like reducing increased future spending on Medicare. While health insurance premiums soar, so do insurance company profits at the expense of hard working middle class Americans. In Congress, I will continue to work on reducing the cost of health care, improving the quality of health care, holding insurance companies accountable, and to putting all of us and our doctors back in control of our own health care." (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. Issue Position: Health Care. 1 January 2012. "I strongly believe that every American deserves access to affordable high quality health care. The Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 made some much needed improvements to our health care system like eliminating pre-existing conditions and allowing children to stay on their parent's insurance until age 26, but the law also has some problems like reducing increased future spending on Medicare." (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. Video: 120323 California Congressional District 26. 23 March 2012. "I think this Health Care bill is a good start in the right direction. Certainly there are component pieces of it, the preventive piece of the Affordable Health Care Act is very, very positive [¦] The fact that you can't turn anybody away for health care is a very, very positive direction for us to go in. I think we still have to work very, very hard on the quality issues and the affordability issues [¦] I think this is the right step in the right direction, but there's much more work to do." (www.ustream.tv)

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 28 June 2012. "The Supreme Court's upholding of the Affordable Care Act is great news for the American people. It's not a perfect law but it's a big step in the right direction." (www.facebook.com)

"I strongly believe that every American deserves access to affordable high quality health care. The Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 made some much needed improvements to our health care system like eliminating pre-existing conditions and allowing children to stay on their parent's insurance until age 26, but the law also has some problems like reducing increased future spending on Medicare. While health insurance premiums soar, so do insurance company profits at the expense of hard working middle class Americans. In Congress, I will continue to work on reducing the cost of health care, improving the quality of health care, holding insurance companies accountable, and to putting all of us and our doctors back in control of our own health care." (votesmart.org)

No

Immigration: Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?

Vote Smart's Research

Tony Biasotti. Ventura County Star: 26th Congressional District candidates compete for voters' support. 8 May 2012. "Brownley, Thayne and Herrera said they support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants now in the country." (www.vcstar.com)

Julia Brownley. Video: CA 26 League of Women Voters TOaks EDITED mostly Julia and Parks 051812.mp4. 19 March 2012. "No one here in Ventura County or anywhere else in our country should have to live in the shadows and we shouldn't condone an economy that is in the shadows. So I will work hard on this particular issue. With a growing population of Latinos in Venture. That should be celebrated, it's a wonderful thing for Ventura County. And I will certainly, as someone who as been a legislature before, I try very hard to listen, to seek guidance, and to seek counsil and to see...what the most compelling issues are." (youtu.be)

Julia Brownley. Issue Position: Immigration. 1 January 2012. "I would advocate for an earned pathway to citizenship, with border security measures, holding accountable employers who knowingly violate the law, and making sure that workers and businesses pay their fair share of taxes." (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 16 June 2012. "As a co-author of the California Dream Act, I applaud the President's common sense approach to allowing undocumented children who have grown up in this country and been educated here to come out of the shadows and give back." (www.facebook.com)

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 25 June 2012. "The Supreme Court's decision today is a clear indication of why we need federal immigration reform that both protects our security and reflects our values as a nation." (www.facebook.com)

Tony Biasotti. Ventura County Star: 26th Congressional District candidates compete for voters' support. 8 May 2012. "Brownley, Thayne and Herrera said they support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants now in the country." (www.vcstar.com)

Julia Brownley. Issue Position: Immigration. 1 January 2012. "I would advocate for an earned pathway to citizenship, with border security measures, holding accountable employers who knowingly violate the law, and making sure that workers and businesses pay their fair share of taxes." (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 16 June 2012. "As a co-author of the California Dream Act, I applaud the President's common sense approach to allowing undocumented children who have grown up in this country and been educated here to come out of the shadows and give back." (www.facebook.com)

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Timeline. 25 June 2012. "The Supreme Court's decision today is a clear indication of why we need federal immigration reform that both protects our security and reflects our values as a nation." (www.facebook.com)

Julia Brownley. Video: CA 26 League of Women Voters TOaks EDITED mostly Julia and Parks 051812.mp4. 19 March 2012. "No one here in Ventura County or anywhere else in our country should have to live in the shadows and we shouldn't condone an economy that is in the shadows. So I will work hard on this particular issue. With a growing population of Latinos in Venture. That should be celebrated, it's a wonderful thing for Ventura County. And I will certainly, as someone who as been a legislature before, I try very hard to listen, to seek guidance, and to seek counsil and to see...what the most compelling issues are." (youtu.be)

Yes

Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage?

Vote Smart's Research

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Wall. 9 May 2012. "I'm delighted the President supports marriage equality. Equal treatment under the law for LGBT Americans is simply a matter of fairness and justice." (www.facebook.com)

Julia Brownley. Video: CA 26 League of Women Voters TOaks EDITED mostly Julia and Parks 051812.mp4. "In terms of repealing DOMA-absolutely. I was the legislator in the California Legislature who hearing asking Congress to repeal the law." 19 March 2012. (youtu.be)

Julia Brownley. Project Vote Smart: 2010 California State Legislative Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?"

Julia Brownley. Video: Repeal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act). 10 September 2009. "I believe this resolution-Bringing this resolution forward is one of the most important issues that I will bring to this floor in the tenure that I will serve in the Assembly. So members, this is simply about a resolution that states that this body and our Senate will ask the President and our Congress to turn a decision around on DOMA, to repeal DOMA." (youtu.be)

Representative Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional, and issued a procedural ruling in the Proposition 8 case that allows a lower court decision striking down Proposition 8 to take effect, allowing same-sex marriages to resume in the state of California:"Today, the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and reaffirmed our country's promise to the American people that all are equal under the law. This is a joyous moment for our nation as it moves one step closer to realizing our Constitution's promise of equality for every American, no matter who they love.The highest court in the land also returned marriage equality to California and Ventura County, giving thousands of same-sex couples and their children the recognition and protection they deserve. As our country continues to move forward on marriage equality, we must keep working together to recognize equality for all Americans." (votesmart.org)

Julia Brownley. Facebook: Wall. 9 May 2012. "I'm delighted the President supports marriage equality. Equal treatment under the law for LGBT Americans is simply a matter of fairness and justice." (www.facebook.com)

Julia Brownley. Video: CA 26 League of Women Voters TOaks EDITED mostly Julia and Parks 051812.mp4. "In terms of repealing DOMA-absolutely. I was the legislator in the California Legislature who hearing asking Congress to repeal the law." 19 March 2012. (youtu.be)

Julia Brownley. Project Vote Smart: 2010 California State Legislative Political Courage Test. Selected "No" for: "a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?"

Julia Brownley. Video: Repeal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act). 10 September 2009. "I believe this resolution-Bringing this resolution forward is one of the most important issues that I will bring to this floor in the tenure that I will serve in the Assembly. So members, this is simply about a resolution that states that this body and our Senate will ask the President and our Congress to turn a decision around on DOMA, to repeal DOMA." (youtu.be)

Representative Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional, and issued a procedural ruling in the Proposition 8 case that allows a lower court decision striking down Proposition 8 to take effect, allowing same-sex marriages to resume in the state of California:"Today, the Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and reaffirmed our country's promise to the American people that all are equal under the law. This is a joyous moment for our nation as it moves one step closer to realizing our Constitution's promise of equality for every American, no matter who they love.The highest court in the land also returned marriage equality to California and Ventura County, giving thousands of same-sex couples and their children the recognition and protection they deserve. As our country continues to move forward on marriage equality, we must keep working together to recognize equality for all Americans." (votesmart.org)

Unknown Position

National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?

Key

Official Position: Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.

Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue directly, but Project Vote Smart inferred this issue position based on the candidate's public statements, voting record, and evaluations from special interest groups.

Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue.

Project Vote Smart's Research: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position.

Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as the candidate has submitted it. Project Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

California State Legislative Election 2010 Political Courage Test

This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.